Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Remote | Executive Leadership Team

The Opportunity

Harper James is on an ambitious growth journey.

We're a modern, technology-enabled law firm that is transforming how legal services are delivered to businesses. With private equity backing and a clear strategic growth plan, we're now looking for an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to help scale the business, drive operational excellence and support the next stage of Harper James' growth journey.

This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of the operational performance of a fast-growing legal services business and build a truly scalable, AI-enabled delivery platform.

Working closely with the CEO, CFO, CCO and CTO, you'll lead the legal operation, drive transformation programmes and ensure the business is equipped to support significant growth over the coming years.

If you're excited by scaling businesses, operational transformation, AI adoption and building a more efficient, resilient and client-focused organisation, we'd love to hear from you.

About Harper James

Harper James is a national commercial law firm designed specifically for entrepreneurial businesses.

We deliver high-quality legal advice through a distributed, technology-enabled model that offers clients flexible access to expert legal support. Our lawyers work with thousands of UK businesses ranging from high-growth startups to established companies and investors.

As we continue to grow, we're investing heavily in technology, AI and operational excellence to redefine what a modern law firm can be.

What you'll be doing

As COO, you'll take ownership of the firm's operating model and help Harper James scale efficiently, consistently and commercially. You'll lead legal operations, drive AI-enabled transformation amongst the legal teams, improve client delivery and build the systems, processes and leadership capability needed for the next stage of growth.

· Lead Group Heads and legal delivery teams to improve performance, consistency and accountability

· Build a scalable operating model across capacity planning, utilisation, quality and service delivery

· Drive adoption of AI, automation and better workflows to improve productivity and client outcomes

· Strengthen client experience, retention and service standards across the firm

· Develop leadership capability, succession planning and knowledge-sharing across the legal teams

· Lead major transformation initiatives that support growth, margin improvement and operational resilience

· Maintain strong operational governance, risk management and regulatory controls as the business scales

What we're looking for

We're interested in leaders who have successfully scaled professional services, ideally legal services or other complex knowledge-based organisations.

You'll likely have:

· Executive-level operational leadership experience

· Experience leading large operational teams through significant change

· Commercial acumen and an understanding of how to create scalable, profitable and sustainable growth in a PE-backed business

· Experience improving operational performance through technology and data and a best-in-class knowledge of legal technology, workflow automation or AI-enabled service delivery

· Strong leadership and stakeholder management capabilities

Why join Harper James?

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of one of the UK's most innovative law firms.

You'll join an ambitious leadership team with a clear strategy, significant growth opportunities and a commitment to transforming how legal services are delivered.

We offer:

· Fully remote working

· Competitive executive compensation package including equity

· Leadership role with significant influence across the business

· The opportunity to drive AI-enabled transformation at scale

· Exposure to private equity-backed growth and strategic transformation

· A collaborative and entrepreneurial culture

· The chance to leave a lasting impact on the business

Ready to apply?

If you're an operational leader who thrives on building high-performing organisations, delivering transformation and supporting ambitious long-term growth, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and help shape the next chapter of Harper James. There are two questions that form part of the application process!

NO AGENCIES PLEASE